The Best Security Suites for 2019

Antivirus? Firewall? Malware protection? What do you really need to keep your PC safe? We've tested, reviewed, and rated nearly 50 apps to help you choose the best security suite for protecting your devices and your data.

Bottom Line: McAfee Total Protection offers excellent security and password management for all your devices, and parental control for all except Macs. The suite's comprehensive new identity theft protect...

Bottom Line: Bitdefender Internet Security gets the VPN protection and all the other new security features from Bitdefender's excellent antivirus, and adds webcam security, effective parental control, an...

Bottom Line: With Symantec Norton Security Premium, you can protect up to 10 Windows, macOS, Android, or iOS devices. This security suite is a feature-packed winner with top-notch antivirus, comprehensiv...

Bottom Line: Kaspersky Internet Security gets top scores from the antivirus testing labs. It comes with everything you'd expect in a suite, along with plenty of extras, and its components are consistentl...

Neil J. RubenkingThe Best Security Suites for 2019Antivirus? Firewall? Malware protection? What do you really need to keep your PC safe? We've tested, reviewed, and rated nearly 50 apps to help you choose the best security suite for protecting your devices and your data.

Get a Security Suite for All-Around Protection

Your loyal antivirus utility stands sentry over your computer, protecting your programs and data from malware attack, but must it stand alone? You may feel the urge to hire on a few more troops. A censor to wipe out spam, a nanny to monitor your children's computer usage, even a VPN courier to care for your data in transit. Of course, you'll have to manage this ragtag troupe yourself, and hope for no personality conflicts. Or, you could just hire a fully integrated group to take care of all your security needs, with no conflicts and maximum efficiency; that is to say, a security suite.

The top security companies offer security suites that integrate a variety of features. Some stick to the basics, while others pile on tons of useful extras, from online backup to dedicated ransomware protection. Just read through PCMag's reviews of security suites and select one that has the features you need. We've reviewed nearly 50 security suites and identified a collection of the best, of all types from simple entry-level suites to cross-platform multi-device extravaganzas.

This article briefly mentions the many tests we use to evaluate security suites and determine which are the best. If you want more details on the torture tests we perform on every product we review, please read the full explanation of how we test security software.

Basic and Advanced Security Suites

Most security companies offer at least three levels of security products, a standalone antivirus utility, an entry-level security suite, and an advanced suite with additional features. Most entry-level suites include antivirus, firewall, antispam, parental control, and some sort of additional privacy protection such as protection against phishing sites, those frauds that try to steal your passwords. The advanced "mega-suite" typically adds a backup component and some form of system tune-up utility, and some also add password managers and other security extras.

When a new product line comes out, we start by reviewing the antivirus. In our review of the entry-level suite, we summarize results from the antivirus review and dig deeper into the suite-specific features. And for a mega-suite review, we focus on the advanced features, referring back to the entry-level suite review for features shared by both. Your choice of a basic or advanced security suite depends entirely on what features matter to you.

The suites we've rounded up here aim to protect consumers. You can definitely use any of them in a small business, but as your company grows you may need to switch to a SaaS endpoint protection system. This type of service lets an administrator monitor and manage security for all the company's computers.

Windows Defender? Maybe

Last year, the Windows Defender program built into Windows 10 evolved, like a Pokémon. It's now called Microsoft Windows Defender Security Center, because in addition to antivirus protection it manages Windows Firewall and other Windows security features. It doesn't truly qualify as a suite; it's just an antivirus that manages other Windows components. Independent antivirus test scores for Windows Defender have literally come in below zero in the past. They've been steadily improving, though they're still not the best. In our latest hands-on tests, it scored significantly better than in previous reviews. You can still get better protection from the best third-party free antivirus utilities, but Windows Defender is looking better all the time. Even so, it can't replace a full-scale security suite.

Fighting Malware, Adware, and Spyware

Malware protection is the heart of a security suite; without an antivirus component, there's no suite. Naturally you want a suite whose antivirus is effective. When evaluating an antivirus, we look for high marks from the independent antivirus testing labs. The fact that the labs consider a product important enough to test is a vote of confidence in itself. The very best antivirus products get high ratings from many labs.

We also perform our own hands-on testing. For one test we use a relatively static set of malware samples that's replaced once per year. We note how the antivirus reacts when we try to launch those samples and score it on how well it protects the test system. For another, we try to download very new malicious files from URLs no more than a few days old. Lab test results, our own test results, and other aspects like ease of use go into our antivirus rating.

Firewall Choices

A typical personal firewall offers protection in two main areas. On the one hand, it monitors all network traffic to prevent inappropriate access from outside the network. On the other, it keeps a watchful eye on running applications to make sure they don't misuse your network connection. The built-in Windows Firewall handles monitoring traffic, but doesn't include program control. A few security suites skip the firewall component, figuring that Windows Firewall already does the most essential firewall tasks.

The last thing you want is a firewall that bombards you with incomprehensible queries about online activity. Should BorisBadenov.exe be allowed to connect with 111.222.3.4 on port 8080? Allow or Block? Once, or always? Modern firewalls cut down the need for these queries by automatically configuring permissions for known programs. The very best also handle unknown programs by monitoring them closely for signs of improper network activity and other suspicious behaviors.

Squelch Some Spam

These days, most of us hardly ever see spam messages in our inboxes because your email provider filters them out. If you don't get this service from your provider, it can be hard to even find your valid mail amid all the offers of male enhancements, Russian brides, and quick-money schemes.

If your provider doesn't squelch spam, it's smart to choose a suite that has spam filtering built in. Look for one that integrates with your email client. Client integration lets it divert spam into its own folder, and sometimes let you train the spam filter by flagging any spam messages that get through or, worse, valid messages that wound up in the spam pile.

Phishing and Privacy Protection

The best antivirus in the world can't help you if a fraudulent website tricks you into giving away your security credentials. Phishing sites masquerade as bank sites, auction sites, even online dating sites. When you enter your username and password, though, your account is instantly compromised. Some clever ones will even pass along your credentials to the real site, to avoid raising suspicions.

Steering users away from phishing sites definitely helps protect privacy, but that's not the only way suites can keep your private information out of the wrong hands. Some offer specific protection for user-defined sensitive data, credit cards, bank accounts, that sort of thing. Any attempt to transmit sensitive data from your computer sets of an alarm. Some contract with third-party companies to offer credit protection. And some supply a hardened browser that lets you do online banking in an environment isolated from other processes.

What About Parental Control?

We don't penalize a suite for omitting parental control. Not everyone has kids, and not every parent feels comfortable about controlling and monitoring their children's computer use. However, if parental control is present, it has to work.

Blocking inappropriate websites and controlling how much time the child spends on the Internet (or on the computer) are the core components of a parental control system. Some suites add advanced features like instant message monitoring, limiting games based on ESRB ratings, and tracking the child's social networking activity. Others can't even manage the basics successfully.

VPN Protects Your Communications

Local antivirus and security suites protect your data and documents, but their protection doesn't extend to your internet communications. A virtual private network, or VPN, secures your internet traffic and can also serve to hide your actual IP address or location from snoops. Most VPN companies have just the one product, but some security suite companies have ventured into the VPN realm. Typically, though, you don't get full VPN protection as part of your suite. Some install a free edition, or a free trial. Others offer a link that sends you online to subscribe.

Don't Bog Me Down

One big reason to use a security suite rather than a collection of individual utilities is that the integrated suite can do its tasks using fewer processes and a smaller chunk of your system's resources. Or at least, that's what ought to happen. Few modern suites have an appreciable effect on performance.

For a hands-on measure of just what effect installing a particular suite has, we time three common system actions with and without the suite installed, averaging many runs of each test. One test measures system boot time, another moves and copies a large collection of files between drives, and a third zips and unzips that same file collection repeatedly. Suites with the very lightest touch have almost no effect on the time required.

Backup and Tune-Up Utilities

In a sense, having a backup of all your files is the ultimate security. Even if ransomware destroys your data, you can still restore from backup. Some companies reserve backup for their mega-suite offering, while others include it in the entry-level suite. Read our reviews carefully, as backup capabilities vary wildly. At the low end, some companies give you nothing you couldn't get for free from Mozy, IDrive, or another online backup service. At the high end you might get 25GB of online storage hosted by the company, along with the ability to make local backups.

Tuning up your system performance has no direct connection with security, unless it serves to counteract the security suite's performance drag. However, tune-up components often include privacy-related features such as clearing traces of browsing history, wiping out temporary files, and deleting lists of recently used documents. For a dedicated system-cleaning app, read our roundup of the Best Tune-Up Utilities.

Mac, Android, and iOS Security

Windows still dominates the desktop, but many households include Macs as well. Cross-platform multi-device suites give you once source of protection for all your devices. Typically you don't get as many features on macOS. In fact, most companies just offer a Mac antivirus, not a full suite. Do take advantage of the option to protect your Macs. They're not immune to malware.

Android devices are ubiquitous, and the Android platform isn't locked down the way iOS is. Even if you stay away from third-party app stores and refrain from jailbreaking your device, you can still get hit with Trojans, ransomware, and other kinds of Android malware. Smart users protect their devices with an Android antivirus. All the best Android antivirus utilities include antitheft features such as the ability to locate, lock, or wipe a lost or stolen device. Many include bonus features like blocking unwanted calls or warning when you connect to an insecure Wi-Fi network.

As for iPhones and other iOS devices, Apple's built-in security makes life tough both for malware coders and antivirus writers. Many cross-platform suites simply skip iOS; those that don't typically offer a seriously stripped-down experience. Given the platform's intrinsic security, it rarely makes sense to expend one of your licenses installing protection on an iPhone.

What's Not Here?

We've evaluated nearly fifty security suites, including entry-level suites, feature-packed mega-suites, and suites that extend protection across multiple different platforms. The products listed in the chart at the top of this article have all received at least four stars; the blurbs below also include products that earned at least 3.5 stars.

In some cases, two products from the same company appear in the chart. For example, Bitdefender Internet Security is an Editors' Choice for entry-level suite, and Bitdefender Total Security earned the same honor as a security mega-suite. The same pattern holds for Kaspersky, Symantec, and Trend Micro.

You won't find McAfee LiveSafe in the chart. As of the current release, there's no effective difference between McAfee LiveSafe and McAfee Total Protection. In addition, you can't buy LiveSafe; it an OEM product. We have three Kaspersky suites that earned four stars or better, but only two that are Editors' Choice products. On that basis, the basic Kaspersky Internet Security suite no longer appears in the chart.

What's the Best Security Suite?

The chart at top details ten security suites that we definitely recommend, including multi-device suites, mega-suites, and entry-level suites. If you're looking for a suite that covers the basics without getting in the way, Bitdefender Internet Security and Kaspersky Internet Security are our Editors' Choice winners. In the mega-suite range, Editors' Choice goes to Bitdefender Total Security, with more features than you can imagine. Symantec Norton Security Premium, which protects up to 10 devices, and Kaspersky, which protects up to 20, are our Editors' Choice product for cross-platform multi-device security suite. With a powerful, integrated suite protecting your devices, you can stay protected without worrying about balancing security against performance.

Of course, the suite you like best may not be one we've identified as an Editors' Choice. The blurbs below include every suite that earned at least three stars in our evaluation.

Editors' Note: We are aware of the allegations of Kaspersky Labs' inappropriate ties to the Russian government. Until we see some actual proof of these allegations, we will treat them as unproven, and continue to recommend Kaspersky's security products as long as their performance continues to merit our endorsement.

Cons: Huge feature set means it can be hard to find some settings. Some Android features not compatible with current Android versions.

Bottom Line: Kaspersky Internet Security gets top scores from the antivirus testing labs. It comes with everything you'd expect in a suite, along with plenty of extras, and its components are consistently effective.

Bottom Line: Kaspersky Security Cloud is a security suite that lets you install and manage Kaspersky security on up to 20 PCs, phones, and tablets at an impressively low per-device price.

Pros: Protects up to 10 devices. Local and online backup with 25GB online storage. Full-featured parental control system. Very good Android security, antivirus, and parental control. Full suite for macOS. Powerful, unobtrusive firewall. Many bonus features.

Cons: No parental control on macOS. Poor score in our antiphishing test.

Bottom Line: With Symantec Norton Security Premium, you can protect up to 10 Windows, macOS, Android, or iOS devices. This security suite is a feature-packed winner with top-notch antivirus, comprehensive backup, cross-platform parental control, and more.

Cons: Encryption weakened by use of simple security questions. Antivirus lab scores better, but still not tops. Parental control could use some work.

Bottom Line: McAfee Total Protection offers excellent security and password management for all your devices, and parental control for all except Macs. The suite's comprehensive new identity theft protection system is an enticing extra.

Cons: Password manager is limited in features. Many bonus features require separate purchase.

Bottom Line: Avast Internet Security is a full-scale suite, with an antivirus, a robust firewall, a simple spam filter, and a wealth of bonus features. Depending upon your needs, though, the company's free antivirus might be more cost effective.

Bottom Line: If you're going to buy any Avira product, Avira Prime is the one to get, as it includes every free and paid Avira product. However, even with its entire posse of products it can't challenge the best cross-platform multi-device security suites.

Bottom Line: Check Point's ZoneAlarm Extreme Security 2017 adds a wealth of security components to its core powerful firewall. Beyond the firewall, though, most of this suite's significant features are licensed from other vendors.

Bottom Line: McAfee Internet Security offers all expected suite features, antivirus, firewall, antispam, parental control, and more. But you get the best of these features in McAfee's standalone antivirus, for quite a bit less.

Cons: No results from independent antivirus testing labs. Web protection disabled by default. Simple parental control is easily defeated. No option for local backup. Phishing protection less effective on macOS.

Bottom Line: Total Defense Ultimate Internet Security offers excellent protection for macOS and Android devices, both licensed from Bitdefender, along with less impressive protection for Windows.

Bottom Line: BullGuard Premium Protection adds identity protection and network security scanning to the uneven features of BullGuard Internet Security. The added features are worthwhile, and a quirk in pricing makes Premium Protection a better deal.

Cons: Poor scores in some tests. Backup system and VPN initially didn't work. GeekBuddy couldn't fix one problem and gave wrong info about another. VPN limited to 10GB per month. Filtering of bad URLs not yet working.

Bottom Line: Comodo Internet Security Complete 10 offers online backup, automatic VPN, and instant access to GeekBuddy remote tech support. However, we ran into problems with all three features, and the antivirus had issues in testing.

Bottom Line: Panda Dome Advanced adds parental control and ransomware protection to the features of Panda Dome Essential. It handles ransomware that slips past the entry-level product, but still has some of the lowest test scores.

Bottom Line: Threat Track's Vipre Advanced Security offers almost all expected suite features at a low price. It won't dethrone our Editors' Choice suites, but it's an improvement over the previous edition.

Cons: No results from independent testing labs. Web protection disabled by default. Simple parental control is easily defeated. Performance check offers no useful recommendations. No option for local backup.

Bottom Line: Total Defense Premium Internet Security adds the web-based malware protection missing from the company's antivirus, along with other suite-level features. The price is nice, but you're better off paying a little more for more security.

About the Author

Neil Rubenking served as vice president and president of the San Francisco PC User Group for three years when the IBM PC was brand new. He was present at the formation of the Association of Shareware Professionals, and served on its board of directors. In 1986, PC Magazine brought Neil on board to handle the torrent of Turbo Pascal tips submitted b... See Full Bio

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